Photos: Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival

AP

Ice sculptures are illuminated at the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Fairy tale palaces, towering pagodas, and even an Egyptian Sphynx, all carved from ice, are among the sights at this year's fest as the annual event, now in its 26th year, pulls crowds from across China and even a few visitors from overseas, drawn to the unique visions of an international roster of sculptors who illuminate their creations with multicolored electric lights encased in the translucent ice.

Ice sculptures are illuminated at the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. Fairy tale palaces, towering pagodas, and even an Egyptian Sphynx, all carved from ice, are among the sights at this year's fest as the annual event, now in its 26th year, pulls crowds from across China and even a few visitors from overseas, drawn to the unique visions of an international roster of sculptors who illuminate their creations with multicolored electric lights encased in the translucent ice. (AP)